Seattle’s stars shine brightest in 2023 Celebrity Softball game as Team Felix earns the win
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – The Celebrity Softball game during MLB All-Star weekend often brings out famous folks from around the globe, with a few locals mixed in for the host city. The city of Seattle had their fair share of local representatives for the second game of All-Star Saturday taking place at T-Mobile Park, with a few extra additions due to other celebrities having to pull out/cancelling, such as Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner joining the field. While the Mariners themselves haven’t been the most consistently explosive teams on offense, fans at T-Mobile Park were treated to plenty of runs from this event. With the “outfield” brought in substantially, only five runs being played, and a much shorter trip around the bases, it was a unique atmosphere but still a ton of fun for those in attendance.
The stars were out in Seattle at T-Mobile Park for the Celebrity Softball game, including NBA star Donovan Mitchell (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Offensive explosion
This event saw 40 total runs between the two teams scored, including innings of six and seven runs in the first two frames for Team Felix. There was no lack of power at the plate, as the foghorn at T-Mobile Park that is played once a run is scored got plenty of usage and the steam blasters in the outfield did as well. While Team Felix was able to mount a lead quickly and heavily with the 13 total runs in the first two innings, Team Finch (led by softball legend Jennie Finch) made a comeback push in the final three rounds to bring themselves within two runs, which is hardly anything when you consider how runs weren’t exactly at a premium in this game.
It was the stars that had ties to Seattle who shined brightest in this game, such as Zach Lavine, Felix Hernandez, and Mike Cameron (Photos by Mathew Bermudez)
Emerald City representatives earn their respect
The Seattle celebrities involved in this event were easily the stars of the show, from former Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez captaining one of the two teams and hitting a homer past Bobby Wagner, Renton-born Zach LaVine hitting a homer and robbing one, former Mariners infielder Bret Boone winning the MVP of the game, amongst others. Beloved “King” Felix Hernandez contributed on both sides, taking a turn pitching (albeit differently than Mariners fans are used to seeing) and hitting, recording a multi-hit day that includes the homer that got right past Bobby Wagner’s outstretched glove in the outfield.
But the Seattle Star the shone the brightest was longtime MLB veteran and former Mariner Bret Boone, who won MVP of the Celebrity Softball game due to hitting multi-homers and having some nice defensive plays in the infield, translating over from his playing days. Considering that these celebrities haven’t always been or have never been athletes, some of the defensive play was somewhat suspect in this game. Taking that into account, since Boone actually made some defensive plays that stood out, plus the multiple homer game, it made total sense that he was selected as the MVP of the game. And even more fitting considering that he’s a former Mariner.
Former Seattle Mariners infielder Bret Boone was awarded the MVP for the Celebrity Softball agme (Photo by Mathew Bermudez)
A few replacements...
While Real Madrid and soccer star Rodrygo and WWE wrestler and actor “The Miz” were both listed as participants in the event, those two were not present at either the media Availability during batting practice at Lumen Field or in the game itself. To the disappointment of many who were looking forward to seeing those two for their respective careers, some other obligations took precedent and replacements would have to fill those spots in. Instead of those two taking part in the event for Team Felix or Team Finch, Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner and Ken Griffey Jr’s son, Trey Griffey, filled in. Wagner was a fun addition given how beloved he is amongst the fans in the city of Seattle, while Griffey is also a somewhat interesting and unique nod given that he’s the son of Junior.
Seattle Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner was a late addition to the game (Photo by Mathew Bermudez)
What’s next?
Following a two-event day at T-Mobile Park for All-Star Saturday, things “slow down” or take a little bit of a pause on Sunday, at least at the ballpark itself. The event for Sunday is at Lumen Field across the street, as the MLB Draft takes place on the field itself next to the inside of the MLB Playball Park. Our Seattle Mariners have three selections within the first round of the draft, the first time that a team has had that many in the first since the San Diego Padres did back in 2016. With those selections and their second-round pick sitting at 57th overall, Seattle has a big opportunity to add multiple potential MLB-level contributors in this draft alone, while also having all their remaining picks to go in the days that follow.